A SINGLE gunshot and subsequent screams were an ordeal that would change a family’s life forever.
Sunday, 13 June would forever be marred with terrible memories for a Wentworth family. Fifteen-year-old Joren Jacobs was the victim of a drive-by shooting at the corner of Tifflin and Victor Lawler roads at about 13:00.
“I was about to dish our Sunday lunch as Joren had gone to the tuck shop to buy a cool drink for us. We heard a single gunshot go off then within seconds people came screaming for us to go to the road because our child had been shot,” recalled the family’s spokesperson.
Joren Jacobs.
He was rushed off to Wentworth Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. His family is still trying to make sense of the tragedy.
Sadly, Joren’s story is all too familiar with the residents of Wentworth. The latest incident rallied the community to take a stand to say enough is enough. The community vowed to have protest episodes every Saturday until justice is served.
Residents gathered in numbers at the park on the corner of Tuin Road and Austerville Drive on Saturday, 19 June to make their voices heard against the rampant crime plaguing the area.
The youth group organised the gathering, eThekwini South Youth in Business, to mobilise the community to the Wentworth police station.
The founder of the group, Celeste King said the episodes are staged to create a platform for parents to take over.
“We’re tired of the gang violence. We intend to provide authentic engagements with the youth beyond our city’s walls and focus group. Look, we’re crying out.”
“We know that it is impossible to stop the drugs because that is another dangerous level at the end of the day. We also know that it is impossible for them to stop because we’ve got no incentive to give to them. We as a community want to bring back the spirit of ubuntu.”
“We believe that if there is unity, we can stop this. These are our small brothers, cousins and fathers – innocent people who are dying and we’ve had enough. Gang violence is coming from the brokenness of our community and school and we have to fix this. We have to be proactive instead of reacting,” she said.
Protest MC, Noleen Ogle Murray, said while the fight against drugs is nearly impossible for them to stomp, they will do the next best thing they can – speak out.
“This is about shootings and innocent people dying every day in Wentworth and nothing is getting done about it. If nobody is going to take a stand, we will have no young people in years to come.”
“Children are scared to go to school because they get stopped on the road and are being hit. School children get pointed at with guns. We are now taking a stand and we will keep standing until our voices are heard,” she exclaimed.
Wentworth police station commander, Colonel Willem van Zyl, met with the residents at the park. He spoke at length about the station’s shortcomings and assured residents that they are doing the best they can.
“Evidence does not just fall off from the air. You have the evidence. You must help us.”
“Some witnesses saw what happened and I know they’re scared but we can work with them. I went to the provincial Hawks and asked them to take the murder docket,” he said to the crowd’s applause.
A memorandum was handed to Van Zyl.
PICTURES:
The Wentworth community is fed up of gang violence in the area.
Coleen Heslop seeks justice for her daughter who was murdered 12 years ago.
Elfrieda Mastross and Norma Williams take a stand.
Olive Manto and Sharon Eddie take a stand.
Chané Dunn, Nadine King and Jamie Leonard take a stand.
Darrelle Glover, Fiona Santos, Kim Jaars and Claudell Glover take a stand.
Jamie Noble, Kaitlyn Richards, Monté Rogers and Jerniell Noble take a stand.
Family members of Brian Captuiex and Junaid Walljee take a stand.
Founder of eThekwini South Youth in Business, Celeste King.
Wentworth police’s station commander, Colonel Willem van Zyl addresses the gathering.
Founder of eThekwini South Youth in Business, Celeste King, Chané Dunn and Wentworth police’s station commander, Colonel Willem van Zyl accepts a memorandum.
Odette van der Haar and Juliana Glover take a stand.
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